Disk brake



Sept 10, 1935- l A. w. wooDwARD 2,014,348

Sept. lo, 1935. A W, WOODWARD 2,014,348

DISK BRAKE Filed May 19, 1954 2 Shee's-Sheekl 2 /7/1/ a WMM/ward Patented Sept. 10,l 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISK BRAKE Application May 19, 1934, serial No. 726,589

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a. brake and more particularly to a disk brake adapted for use with a wheel structure in which the tire is mounted directly on the hub.

Wheels of this type are usually equipped with super-balloon tires of relatively low pressure and are in general use on aircraft. Since the hubs of these wheels must necessarily be of small diameter any brake associated therewith must have aY correspondingly small diameter and occupy as little space as possible consistent with obtaining satisfactory braking action. Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a brake of a size which can be fitted within the confines of one of the tire retaining flanges on the wheel or hub, but which may be extended axially beyond such flange if it becomes desirable to increase the braking action.

Another object is to provide a brake which may be quickly and compactly associated with the wheel or hub.

A further object is to provide a brake structure wherein the braking surfaces are arranged radially with respect to the wheel axle, certain of these surfaces being rotatable with the wheel while others are fixed against rotation.

A further object is to provide novel means for operating the brake. Y

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Iy have shown one embodiment of the invention, and wherein Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating one form the invention may assume;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of same; and

Fig. 3 is a partial plan view with part in section viewed substantially on line III-Ill of Fig. 1, illustrating the operating means for the brake.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral I0 indicates a. non-rotative, hollow axle, on which is journaled a rotatable cylindrical hub through the medium of ball bearings I2 and I3. The end of the axle I0 is threaded to receive a bearing retaining collar I4 and one or more cotter pins |5 may be used to secure the collar.

The hub is provided with a tire retaining ange |6 which is shown integral therewith but which may be formed separately and secured to the hub. A second tire retaining flange is secured ori the opposite end of the hub and is held in place by a combination cover and retaining member I8 which is threaded onto the end of hub I I. To prevent accidental unscrewing of the member I8, one or more pins I9 are arranged (Cl. 18S- 18) in the end of flange and these pins extend into suitable notches 20 formed in member I8. This locking arrangement requires that the flange 1 be capable of limited axial movement so that the member I8 may be turned when necessary, but 5 this flange will not move while an inflated tire 20' is in proper position on the hub.

Adjacent the inner end of the hub an axial sleeve 2| is secured to the axle by fastening means such as lts 22 and 23. This sleeve serves 10 to retain bearing I2 in proper position and has a radially extending ange 24 abutting the hub. Suitable means (not shown) for reducing the friction between the hub and sleeve may be provided in the customary manner.

Referring now to the braking mechanism, numeral 25 indicates a drum shaped brake member having an axially extending flange 26 projecting into the space between the hub and flange 2l to insure pro-per alinement of the brake with the 20 wheel. The drum 25 abuts flange 24, and any suitable means (not shown) may be utilized to reduce friction between these parts. Likewise, friction between flange 26 and the hub may be reduced in the customary manner. This drum 25 25 is secured to and carried by flange I6 for rotation therewith by virtue of a plurality of spaced radial lugs 2'| formed on the flange, which lugs project into similarly spaced openings 28 formed in the drum, thereby providing positive means to 30 prevent relative rotation between the drum and flange.

As shown, the cylindrical portion 29 of the drum is provided with a plurality of keyways 30, in this instance four, which receive radial lugs 3| 35 formed on a plurality of spacedbraking disks 32. This arrangement insures a splined connection between drum 25 and disks 32 whereby the disks can move axially with respect to the drum and rotate therewith, but cannot rotate relative 40 thereto.

Positioned between disks 32 are a plurality of cooperating non-rotatable braking disks 33 which are provided with radial lugs 34 extending into keyways 35 formed in the axial portion of sleeve 2|. Thus, disks 33 can have longitudinal movement with respect to sleeve 2|, but cannot rotate. While I have shown ve of each type disk 32 and 33 it will be obvious that the number may be decreased or increased depending upon the braking action required. Outwardly of the outermost disk I place a pressure operating disk 36, which preferably is somewhat thicker than the otherdisks. Disk 36 is secured to sleeve 2| in the same manner as disks 33.

Means are provided to move disk 36 axially and thereby to move disks 32 and 33 to apply a braking action. As shown in Figs. l and 3 a collar 31 is threaded onto the end of sleeve 2| and fixed to the sleeve and axle by bolt 23. This collar 31 is reduced in diameter adjacent its inner end as shown at 33 and outwardly of the reduced portion the inner surface of the collar is provided with a plurality of cam surfaces 39 (see Fig. 3) each of which has a low point III from which the cam surfaces incline, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

Between disk 36 and collar 31, a brake operating member Il is arranged for limited rotation and is provided on its surface adjacent the collar with cam surfaces 42 complementary to cam surfaces 39. A plurality of transverse openings 33 are formed through member 4|, the number of such openings corresponding with the number of cam surfaces provided, and a pair of balls `f1 is arranged in each opening 43 whereby these balls will extend slightly beyond the sides of member 4l into engagement with disk 33 and collar 31. When the disks are out of brakingengagement the position of each pair of balls 44 corresponds to the showing in Fig. 3 wherein the balls adiacent collar 31 are at the innermost point on the respective cam surfaces 39. Obviously, when member Il is rotated the balls will move over the cam surfaces and force disk 36 axially to move the brake disks into braking engagement.

An extension I5 is formed on member 4I and a suitable means, such as cable 46, may connect the extension to a brake lever of the vehicle on which the brake is used. As shown in Fig. 2, member Il is rotated against the action of a spring I1, which spring will return the member to its original position when the brakes are released.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When it is desired to apply the brake, disks 32 will be rotating with drum 25 and the hub Il by reason of the various connections therebetween, while discs 33 and 36 will not be rotating.

Accordingly, when member 4| is rotated in the manner described the non-rotating and rotating disks will be moved axially whereby to bring into engagement the radial braking surfaces of the various disks. It will be noted that a radial brake surface also is provided on the inner wall of drum 25, which surface is engaged by the innermost disk 33.

It will be understood that various materials can be used for the braking disks. These disks can be formed of metal provided with a face oi' fibrous braking material, or they may be made wholly of metal. Also the disks can be run dry or with a lubricant, as desired.

It is believed to be apparent that the invention provides an eiilcient brake which is simple and positive in operation, which can be applied to various vehicles and which can be arranged either wholly or partially within the confines of a tire carrying flange. Moreover the brake is positioned at one side of the hub where heat generated can be readily dissipated by radiation and 5 by the cooling action of air flowing over the brake.

Although I have illustrated one form of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to such form 1o but that various modifications may be made without. departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. A vehicle wheel comprising in combination. 15 an axle, a hub, a tire retaining iiange mounted on said hub, a brake drum connected to said flange for rotation with the hub, a separate means for alining the drum with the hub, a plurality of axially movable brake disks operatively arranged 20 in said drum and means for moving said disks.

' 2. A vehicle wheel comprising, in combination. an axle, a hub, a tire retaining flange mounted on said hub, said flange being provided with a plurality of spaced radial lugs, a brake drum hav- 25 ing a plurality of grooves to receive said lugs to rotate the drum with said flange, means for axially alining the drum with the hub, a plurality of axially movable brake disks operatively arranged in said drum, and means for moving the disks. 30

3. A vehicle wheel comprising, in combination, an axle, a hub provided with a plurality of spaced radial lugs, a brake drum having a plurality'of grooves to receive said lugs to rotate the drum with the hub, means for axially alining the drum 35 with the hub, a plurality of axially movable brake disks operatively arranged in said drum, and means for moving the disks.

4. A vehicle wheel comprising in combination, an axle, a hub, a tire retaining flange mounted 4o on said hub, a brake drum connected to said iiange for rotation with the hub, means for aligning the drum with the hub, and braking members operatively associated with said drum.

5. A vehicle wheel comprising, in combination, 45 a wheel, a hub, a tire retaining flange mounted on said hub, said flange being provided with a plurality of spaced radial lugs, a brake drum having a plurality of grooves to receive said lugs to rotate the drum with said ange, means for axial- 50 1y aligning the drum with the hub, and braking members operatively associated with said drum.

6. A vehicle wheel comprising, in combination,` a wheel, a hub provided with a plurality of spaced radial lugs, a brake drum having a pluralityof 55 grooves to receive said lugs to rotate the drum with the hub, means for axially aligning the drinn with the hub, and braking members operatively associated with seid drum.

ALVA W. WOODWARD. 

